Wire-coupling



(No Model.)

D. B. MORRISON;

WIRE COUPLING.

No. 428,123. Patented May 20, 1890.

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WITNESSES INVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID B. MORRISON, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI;

WIRE-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 428,123, dated May 20, 1890.

Application filed Octoberv 4, 1889. Serial No. 325,994. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID B. MORRISON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVire-Couplin gs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in wire-couplings, and more particularly in devices for uniting the cut or broken ends of wires employed in the construction of wire fences.

The object is to provide a simple, effective, and inexpensive device which may be kept in stock for immediate use in cases where the wires of a fence have become broken or where it has been desirable to temporarily form a passage by cutting the wires.

lVith these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents the device adjusted in holding position. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal sectional view of the same, showing the ends of the wires and holding-balls in position; and Fig. 3 shows the manner of adjusting the ends of the wires within the coupling-shell. Fig. 4 represents a wedge-shaped locking device.

It is well known that/When a wire fence has been strung under high tension, as is usual, and subsequently the wire between two posts has been broken or cut for any purpose, there is great difliculty experienced in fastening the ends so severed, due in the first place to the fact that there is no slack which can be utilized in twisting the ends together, and if the ends are so turned back, twisted, and bound as to form a secure hold for an extra piece to be inserted the mending not only requires a considerable outlay of time, but also presents an unsightly appearance. The device hereinabove referred to is believed to effectually avoid such and other difficulties and objections, and is constructed as follows:

A represents a hollow shell larger at its middle portion and tapering slightly from its central portion toward its opposite ends. It is provided with an opening a at its central portion for the purpose of giving access to its interior. Its opposite ends, as shown at a, are sufficiently large to admit therein with a free sliding movement the end or ends of the single or double or more strands of the wire to be united. Small balls 13 of hard metal are provided, which serve to form the lock for preventing the withdrawal of the ends of the wire from the casing or shell A, or wedgeshaped pieces (see Fig. 4) provided with teeth slanting toward the larger portion of the shell, may be employed.

The coupling is adjusted as follows: The ends of the wire having been inserted in the opposite ends of the shell A and by any suitable purchase or strain having been brought as nearly together as possible or convenient centrally within the shell, one of the small metallic balls or wed ge-shaped piecesis slipped within the casing or shell alongside of the ends of the wire toward each end of the shell until it begins to wedge between the shell and wire, when the strain is allowed to take effect upon the wire, the result being to crowd the metallic locking device between the shell and wire and roll or slide it toward the small end of the shell, thereby so effectually jamming it between the wire and shell as to form a positive and effective lock, the effectiveness of which will be increased as the strain upon thewire is increased. 1

In operation the ends of the wire are each inserted through the end openings of the shell, and the locking devices, which are then placed within the shell, may be caused to slightly bind the ends of the wire by forcing said locking devices toward the tapered ends of the shellby a rod, or any other means may be employed for this purpose. After the locking devices have once begun to bind the wires all strain upon or contraction of the wires will tend to more securely lock their ends to the shell.

This simple device requires but a moments time for its adjustment and may be readily removed if for any purpose it shall be found desirable, WliilQ at the same time it forms :1 neat finish and can be furnished at n trifling expense.

Having thus fully described my invention, 5 What; I desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The herein-described \vi re-eouplin device, consisting of a shell having its ends tapered and formed with openings to receive the ends of the Wires, and removable locking devices,

eneh leented in the tapered end of said shell 10 t0 engnge the end of each wire, substantially as set, forth.

In testimony whereof I have nl'lixed my signature in presence 01' [W0 witnesses.

[)A'VII) ll. MORRISON. "Witnesses:

lhassm E. YOUNG, MAGDALENE FOO'IE. 

